A/N: Ahn-Li: ROFL So it is Agent Marion Miiro then. (grin) And if you're a fantasy character/writer you should always be careful of precious gems. ;) These nasty things tend to bring innocent folks into trouble as Nima and Raistlin just experienced...

Hilary: Yep. I know, the idea is scaring. (And I admit that I don't want to imagine this to vividly... creepy...)

Kellalor: You liked the corny pick up lines? Read on, dude! The story is full of people trying to hit on other people in the most stereotyped fashion...

Guan: I'm glad you liked the comedy although the next few chapters will have a more serious tone...

Freesnow: Luckily in the books we never saw Tasselhoff in love. So it is even more fun to imagine how he would try to impress the "maid" of his heart.

Anastasya: Glad you do. :)

Childlike Empress: Don't wanna spoil too much but if Raistlin and Naranja were to become a couple I could also have written a better story about him and Chrysania. Nope, I fancy something more original. Naranja is important for Raistlin, though. And I promise some surprises in the next chapters. I only fear it will take another ten chapters before the real romances set in.

Thank you all for reviewing, here it goes...

--

Chapter 25 - The Methods of a Ranger

Raistlin fumed. He looked at the gnome in a manner that made the youth bring some distance between them. Nevertheless, Knoblar still insisted on his payment. "One copper. He let you down. One copper!"

"He wasn't supposed to throw me into the river, you-"

The gnome never learned what the Nima was about to call him, since all of a sudden she stood still, staring at something behind Knoblar's back.

"What is with you, Nima?" the gnome asked his friend. When he turned around, there was nothing. Knoblar looked back to Nima. She was moving again, shaking her head.

"There was- oh forget it."

Nima wrang out her tunic, grabbed her things and hurried back to the camp. Probably to change clothes. Knoblar shrugged. He watched the riverbank closely for a minute but there was nothing suspicious or strange. Finally he followed Nima back to the camp. His father was absolutely right. There were some things about females a man could never understand.

Raistlin on the other hand, was thinking about what he had spotted for a moment. He was sure, behind them in the bushes had been a beholder. The creature had fled instantly. Now it was for sure. Somebody was observing him. Somebody powerful enough to summon and control a beholder. Compared to that, a lovesick Tasselhoff was the least of his problems.

Before Raistlin had reached the kender's wagon, Tiomar stepped out of the shadow of a large beech. The half-orc motioned him to follow him to a quiet spot between two empty wagons.

"We have to talk."

Raistlin crossed his arms.

"Make it short, I want to change."

"It won't take long." Tiomar said.

He didn't sound too friendly. Raistlin tensed. What was going on here?

"It's about you. I've been observing you. I've noticed that your manner and everything have changed since the very incident with the gem. And you pretty much keep it too yourself."

"That's none of your concern, Tiomar."

"It isn't as long as you don't hurt others. But that you did. You hurt Naranja. I know because she has been very sad. She won't tell me either, but I know that it's about something that you have said, Nima."

"Oh this." Raistlin half-heartedly explained. "It was a silly argument. I didn't mean it."

"Whatever. You will tell her that. You will apologize. And you will start being civil again to her and the others. You have time until tonight."

Raistlin snorted. What did the ranger think he was?

"And what if I don't want to?" The mage asked sweetly.

Tiomar shrugged. He had expected this question.

"Then I will catch you and simply give you the spanking of your life. I've always been your friend, but if you think you can behave like a spoiled brat than I will treat you like one."

Raistlin just shook his head lightly. The ranger wouldn't dare. He'd better not.

"I'm serious about that, Nima. You will beg Naranja's pardon and make her happy again, or your royal butt and my hand have an appointment tonight, lady!"

Wherever Raistlin went this day, he always felt Tiomar's warning gaze following him around. Now that it was sure, that he was watched by more dangerous creatures then the half-orc, it was more important then ever to behave as inconspicuous as possible. Therefore he had to make friends with the gypsy maid again. Otherwise, he probably had to face the ranger tonight. And Raistlin was neither inclined to let himself being beaten up nor did he look forward to injure Tiomar. All on behalf of a successful disguise of course. It surely hadn't anything to do with the fact that the ranger seemed to be the only half-way intelligent person in the camp. Which didn't mean that he respected him in any way. The bastard had just offered him a beating, which was definitely no source of respect. And in no way it was some kind of sentimental sympathy because he saw another victim of an otherwise spiteful society in the half-orc. No it was just due to the circumstances. Yes.

So it was a mission of diplomacy now. He just waited for a chance to find Naranja and give her a charming little apology. Still, he found different excuses to pass the time until he finally made up his mind and went to her wagon, knocking on her door. He didn't appreciate the idea of having to apologize at someone, especially not at a girl much inferior in years and ability, but that was the easiest way to avoid further trouble. Although, if it was that easy then why had it taken him three hours to get to her door?

The door was opened by an elderly woman. She wore a dark dress and many golden arm rings and necklaces just like Naranja. A blue scarf was draped around her shoulders. Her black hair had already begun to grey and she wasn't quite slim anymore, but when she moved he saw from whom Naranja had inherited her graceful manner and light step. Even though the eyes were surrounded by wrinkles, her lips were still full and her smile was charming. The women had very likely been beautiful once. It had to be Lady Toronja, mother of Naranja and the fortuneteller of the show. She smiled at him at first, but after realizing who stood in front of her, her smile somewhat froze. Nevertheless she motioned Raistlin to come in. "She is in the backside.", the fortuneteller said in a dark rich voice. "Or did you come to see the future?"

Raistlin shook his head.

"No I wanted to talk to Naranja."

"Speak of Thakisis," Raistlin murmured under his breath as the gypsy girl came to the front of the wagon.

"Who is i- Oh its you."

Naranja didn't look to happy at the sight of her visitor. Apparently the girl had taken his scolding much more serious then he had thought. She wouldn't make this easy for him.

"Hello." he began.

Behind him the fortuneteller muttered something about having a tea-invitation at someone else's and exited the wagon leaving Raistlin and Naranja facing each other, an awkward silence between them. When they finally spoke, they both started simultaneously.

"Well, I just wanted to tell-"
"Do you want a tea?"

They both stopped. Raistlin nodded.

"Tea would be fine."

He sat down on cushion and waited for her to boil water and throw some herbs into it. When finally the sweet smell of fresh herbs filled the air, Naranja handed him a mug and helped her self. Then she sat down next to him.

"Why did you come?" the girl asked, sipping her tea.

Raistlin turned the mug in his hands and stared at the liquid.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. I just had a really bad day and my foot hurt, I was tired... I shouldn't have let it out all on you. I'm sorry."

Now he had said it, hopefully that was it.

"It was really mean, you know."

Of course it wasn't over yet. Why did women have to make everything so complicated? Women always needed to talk things out endlessly. A man would have been fine with what he had said and either have told him to get his ass out of the house or would have accepted the apology without further ado. But no, she had to discuss it of course. Women! That was one of the reasons why he had preferred a male apprentice.

"Sorry."

"Do you really think I'm shallow?"

That was his severe punishment for being rude once. Now they would go through each sentence he had said, discussing every single word.

"No, I don't think you're shallow. I just couldn't stand your talking about wizards anymore."

"But why?" Naranja wondered.

He sighed.

"Because, because..." he needed a witty explanation that wouldn't make him look too self-righteous. Suddenly, he had an idea.

"Because I don't want to see my... best friend... falling for a wizard. You deserve better."

"Why?"

He looked at her gravely. He would give her this warning only once.

"Because mages are terrible lovers. They have a lousy temper, are constantly busy with their studies and if you are really in need of help, they have probably chosen the other side."

"But-"

"No, listen! I see that you have a good heart and you have the ability to be happy, which not many people are blessed with, but I really do believe that you are too naive and you most surely will get hurt if you are not careful. If you fall in love and your love betrays you, it will hurt much worse then my careless words some days ago."

She looked at him puzzled, but he didn't notice her, his gaze fixed on the cup.

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad, I just wanted you to stop entertaining hopeless fantasies that will bring you nothing but pain and suffering."

He still stared into his tea. He hadn't taken a sip, yet. Had he said too much? Actually he hadn't meant the discussion to come out like that. The words had come spontaneously.

"Nima", The gypsy touched his shoulder softly. "You've never sounded so serious before. And you look like you know what you are talking about. As if you have suffered. Why? When? I didn't know..."

"Who? Me?" Naranja's concerned, compassionate voice brought Raistlin back to reality. "No, I haven't, I just can imagine that it would be like this. After having occupied myself with wizards and everything, I just don't think you should set your hopes on one." he added hastily hoping it sounded more Nima-like again.

"I don't know, I-"

"Please", finally he raised his head and looked at her, pleading. "Can't we just get over with this? I said that I'm sorry. Three times, if I'm not mistaken. This whole discussion has not made much sense since the beginning, and it still doesn't. I just want you not to be angry anymore. Can't you forgive? ... They were only words."

The gypsy nodded slowly.

"Yes, we can get over with it. But, never forget that words can hurt much more than a weapon of finest steel. I never knew you were good at hurting people with words, but you are if you want to, believe me, Nima. You are really good at this game."

Oh, if the gypsy only knew how right she was. Telling a mage that words could actually hurt people... Whatever, the most important thing was that she stopped sulking now. He relaxed a little. The worst was over.

They sat there in the dusky wagon for another while, drinking tea and not saying much. Eventually Naranja decided to make up another conversation.

"I heard you have a suitor, Nima."

"Hn?" Raistlin looked up from his tea.

"The newcomer, the kender."

"Ah, you mean Tasselhoff. Did the gnome tell you?"

"Yes, you can't keep a secret very long around here." The gypsy grinned.

"I have to keep that in mind." Raistlin muttered to himself, before continuing louder. "And no, he is not my suitor, no matter what the gnomish pest told you."

Naranja laughed.

"Ah yes, Knoblar can be quite nasty, following us around trying to convince us to play with him. I wish we had more younger children with the show. Like your brother. We have to forgive Knoblar, maybe he gets more sensible when he is older."

"A gnome? I doubt so."

"Says a kender... Look who's talking."

He grinned wryly.

"Well, point for you."

She smiled back at him.

"And what about you and this Tasselhoff now?"

"Nothing, of course." he said, crossing his arms. "We threw each other into the river. That's all."

Her smile became broader.

"Nima, are you getting annoyed about this? Getting annoyed means that you probably like-"
"Don't push it." he warned her.

She giggled, but to his relief changed the topic to a less dangerous point.

"I was inside a lot during the last few days." Naranja began. "I had a lot of time to think about... everything... and I used the time to write another song for the next show. I like it very much but it turned out to be somewhat melancholy. You want to hear?"

She wrote songs? What kind of songs would a girl like her write? Probably a lovesong. But maybe music would be a nice change for having the gnome or even worse, Tasselhoff around. Hopefully that girl was good. She watched him expectantly.

"You have an audience." he said making gesture that parodied a curtly bow.

"Great." she beamed at him. "I'll just tune the harp..."

TBC